Voltage regulator for internal-combustion engine-driven electric generators



Dec'.'23, 1930.. w H. D. GUMPPER 1,786,063

7 VOLTAGE REGULATOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE DRIVEN ELECTRIC GENERATORS Filed Aug. 2, 1929 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 23, 1 930 HAROLD n. GUMPPER, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN VOLTAGE REGULATOR FOR 'INTERNAL-GbMBUSTION ENGINE-DRIVEN GENERATORS Application filed August 2,1929. Serial No. 383,104.

The present invention pertains to a novel voltage regulator for electric generators, particularly in a set where the generator is driven by a gas or internal combustion engine. This regulator comprises-a solenoid sleeved upon the fuel intake pipe directly above the carburetor or mixing valve, and a magnetic plunger acting agalnst a spring operates a valve to control the amount of fuel mixture taken into the engine, said magnetic plunger-operating under certain conditions as an additional valve to further -control the amount of fuel mixture admitted to the engine. In such a device the cooling action of the mixture in passing through the intake pipe and the evaporation of liquid fuel, if used, tend to remove heat developed in the solenoid by the fiow of electric current through the coil thereof and to therefore zomaintain a much lower temperature in the solenoid, whereby a better voltage regulation is secured than would otherwise be possible. The object of the present invention is to secure this accurate, even voltage regulation, and this is accomplished in a simple manner by positioning the solenoid around the intake pipe of the engine, so that the ingoing fuel mixture passing through the ipe will have a cooling effect on the solenoid and maintain the same at a substantially constant temperature, whereby the action ofthe solenoid is made constant. I

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanyingdrawmg, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of a motor-genera;- tor set showing the device of the invention applied thereto; and r Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the inta-kepipe equipped with the invention.

' Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figure 1 is illustrated a conventional internal combustion engine 1 having an intake manifold 2 which is fed by an intake pipe 3 leading from a carburetor 4. An electric generator 5 is geared to the crank shaft 6 of the engine. From the terminals 7 of the ELECTRIC generator are extended lines or conductors 8 leading to the load. The intake pipe 3, which is preferably of non-magnetic material, is surrounded by a solenoid 9 slightly in advance of the usual throttle or butterfly valve 10 of the carburetor or fuel mixer. The solenoid is connected across the line 8 by ,conductors- 9. In the pipe is mounted a shaft 11 which carries a valve 12 also adapted to control the flow of fuel mixturethrough the .pipe. The shaft carries a block 13 which is secured at one end of a bow spring, the other end of which is formed .with a pocket 15 to receive anend of a set screw 16 passed through the wall of 5 the pipe. This spring tends to move the valve 12 to a wide open position, and the tension thereof is adjustable by means of the screw 16.

Within the ipe 3 and also within the solenoid 9 is slida ly mounted a. tubular core 17 adapted to be acted upon by the solenoid. The core is in the form of an open ended sleeve and. is connected to the valve 12 by means of a link 18.

In the angular portion 3' of the'pipe 3 is mounted the threaded stem 19 of a valve head or plug 20. The latter is positioned directly over the upper end of the tubular-core 17 and this end of the core is formed with 30 va seat 21 adapted to be covered by the valve head when the core is moved to an upper position under the influence of'the spring 14. The adjustment of the stem 19 is secured by a nut 19. The core is further formed with 35 ports '22 in its wall slightly below the valve seat to afford communication between the interior of the tubularcore and the branch 3 when the core is in raised'position. v

When the apparatus is about to be started or when due to excessive current demands, short circuit across the generator leads, broken connection in the solenoid circuit, or I through loss of generator voltage for any cause,the'co re' 17 is moved to its uppermost position by the spring 14. In this "position the upper end of the core isclosed by the valve head 20 and passage of fuel to the engine is restricted to that which passes through ports 22 or leaks past the core '17 a a reasonable engine speed under such conditions and prevents injury to the mechanism which might result from wide open throttle and no restraining load.

As the voltage of the generator increases, due to acceleration of the engine, the core is drawn into the coil and causes restriction 'of the fuel passage at the valve 12. If the voltage at the generator 5 should drop because of an increase of the load, the force acting against the spring 14 to hold the core within the solenoid is likewise reduced, and

the core consequently moves outwardly of the solenoid and moves the, valve 12 to a position which permits a higher rate of fuel supply to the engine. Such increased fuel supply accelerates the engine and also the generator so that the voltage of the latter is increased to meet the increased load. Conversely, a falling off of the load results in increased voltage at the generator, and in ward movement of the core and a tendency of the valve12 to close, so that the engine and the generator are decelerated.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations .in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as-indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is v 1. In combination with a gas engine having an intake pipe and a generator driven by said engine, a solenoid surrounding the intake pipe of said engine and connected across said generator, a core slidable in said pipe and within saidsolenoid, and a valve in said pipe and connected to said core to be closed on attraction of said core by said solenoid.

2. In combination with a gas engine having an intake pipe and a generator driven by said engine, a solenoid surrounding the intake pipe of said engine and connected across said an intake pipe and a generator driven by said engine, a solenoid surrounding the intake pipe of said engine and connected across said generator, a hollow open ended core slidable in said pipe and within said solenoid, a valve in said pipe and connnected to said core to be closed on attraction of said core by said solenoid, and a valve head adjustably mounted in said pipe and engageable by one end of said core in repelled position, said core having ports below said end and communicating with said pipe.

5. In combination with a gas engine having an intake pipe and a generator driven by said engine, a solenoid surrounding the intake pipe of said engine and connected across said generator, a hollow open ended core slidable in said pipe and within said solenoid, a spring tending to open said valve and move said core, a valve in said pipe and connected to said core to be closed on attraction of said core by said solenoid, and a valve head mounted in said pipe and engageable by one end of said core in repelled position, said core having ports below said end and communicating with said pipe.

6. In combination with a gas engine having an intake pipe and a generator driven by said engine, a solenoid surrounding the intake pipe of said engine and connected across said generator, a hollow open ended core slidable in said pipe and within said solenoid, a spring tending to open said valve and move said core, a valve in said pipe and connected to said core to be closed on attraction of said core by said solenoid, and a valve head adjustably mounted in said pipe and engageable by one end of said core in repelled position, said core having ports below said'end and communicating with said pipe.

In testimon whereof I a 2; my signature.

IIAROLD D. GUMPPER.

generator, a core slidable in said pipe and within said solenoid, a valve in saidIpipe and connected to said core to be closed on attraction of said core by said solenoid, and a spring tending to open said valve and move said core.

3. In combination with a gas engine having an intakeapipe and a generator driven bysaid engine, a solenoid surrounding the intake pipe of said engineand connected across said generator, a hollow 0 en ended core slidable in said pipe and within said solenoid, a valve in said pipe and connected to said core to be closed on attraction of said core by said solenoid, and a valve head mounted in said pipe and engageable by one end of said core in repelled position, said core having ports belowsaid end and communicating 'with said plpe.

4. In combination with a gas engine having 

